But it was third time lucky for United when they took the lead in devastating fashion after 23 minutes.

Giggs found Van Nistelrooy, and the Dutchman skipped away from Campbell before beating Keown for pace and beating the onrushing Taylor.

Arsenal's off-colour first half took a turn for the worse 10 minutes later when captain Patrick Vieira, who never looked happy and wore a large strapping on his troublesome knee, limped off to be replaced by Edu.

United made a substitution of their own during the interval, sending on Gary Neville for John O'Shea.